Cauda equina syndrome after repeated spinal attempts: A case report and review of the literature.

Goyal LD, Kaur H, Singh A - Saudi J Anaesth (2015 Apr-Jun)

Bottom Line:
Spinal and epidural blocks are widely used for cesarean section.Spinal hematoma causing cauda equina syndrome is a rare complication after spinal anesthesia (SA), but can lead to severe neurological deficit.It is usually associated with difficult SA and requires surgical decompression in most of the cases.

ABSTRACTSpinal and epidural blocks are widely used for cesarean section. Spinal hematoma causing cauda equina syndrome is a rare complication after spinal anesthesia (SA), but can lead to severe neurological deficit. It is usually associated with difficult SA and requires surgical decompression in most of the cases.

Mentions:
Magnetic resonance imaging revealed epidural hematoma at multiple levels extending from L3 to S1 [Figures 1–4]. Patient was operated upon, and hematoma was evacuated. Postoperative period was uneventful. On follow-up after 3 months, she had partial recovery. Patient was advised follow-up in neurosurgery but she never turned up after 3 months.

Mentions:
Magnetic resonance imaging revealed epidural hematoma at multiple levels extending from L3 to S1 [Figures 1–4]. Patient was operated upon, and hematoma was evacuated. Postoperative period was uneventful. On follow-up after 3 months, she had partial recovery. Patient was advised follow-up in neurosurgery but she never turned up after 3 months.

Bottom Line:
Spinal and epidural blocks are widely used for cesarean section.Spinal hematoma causing cauda equina syndrome is a rare complication after spinal anesthesia (SA), but can lead to severe neurological deficit.It is usually associated with difficult SA and requires surgical decompression in most of the cases.

ABSTRACTSpinal and epidural blocks are widely used for cesarean section. Spinal hematoma causing cauda equina syndrome is a rare complication after spinal anesthesia (SA), but can lead to severe neurological deficit. It is usually associated with difficult SA and requires surgical decompression in most of the cases.